Risk Factors
Nippon Chemi-Con Group positions risk management as the highest priority matter involving corporate leadership. Nippon Chemi-Con Group has established a Risk Management Committee in accordance with our Basic Policy for Risk Management. This committee is responsible for the centralized management of Group risks. We categorize existing and potential risks as strategic risks, financial risks, hazard risks, and operational risks. Twice a year, these risks are evaluated by the Risk Management Committee, which provides reports during Executive Committee Meetings.
Among identified and reported risks, the following are major risks with the potential to impact the operating results, stock price, cash flow, and financial position of consolidated companies. Furthermore, forward-looking statements are judgments made by the Nippon Chemi-Con Group at the end of the consolidated fiscal year 2020 (March 31, 2021).
1. Risks concerning economic conditions
Nippon Chemi-Con Group's principle business is manufacturing and sales of capacitors and other electronic components. Our business has expanded globally, covering regions including Japan, Americas, Europe and Asia, and therefore, changes in the economic conditions of these regions and countries, where our products are sold, have the potential to impact the operating results and financial position of Nippon Chemi-Con Group.
2. Risks concerning exchange rate fluctuations
Products of Nippon Chemi-Con Group are sold not only in Japan but also in Americas, Europe and Asia, and the proportion of consolidated net sales accounted for by overseas sales stood at 76.0% in the FY2019, and 80.0% in the FY2020. Although we forward exchange contracts to hedge the risk of exchange rate fluctuations, it is impossible to eliminate all such risk, and therefore such fluctuations may affect the operating results of Nippon Chemi-Con Group.
In preparing consolidated financial statements, those of our foreign affiliates are converted to JPY. Even if the values remain unchanged in local currencies, yen translations may fluctuate and thereby affect our business results.
3. Risks concerning price competition
Aluminum electrolytic capacitors, our main product, are subject to price competition between competitors in Japan and overseas, which carry the risk of impacting the operating results and financial position of the Group. As our Group conducts business activities in various countries and markets, we must respond to price competition risks based on specific factors of each country and market. Relevant risk factors include fluctuations in production and sales costs, rises in material costs, and innovations in production technology of each country and region. Our Group, which has a high ratio of overseas sales, constantly faces the threat of international competition. As such, intensifying price competition could not only drive down profits, but could also cause a drop in our global market share. One of our strengths is our integrated production system for everything from material development to product sales. We will take advantage of this structure to promote cost reductions by optimizing production systems. At the same time, we will increase our competitive strength by developing products with high added value and high profitability, and by expanding sales in core markets. We take measures against risks in line with the abovementioned business strategies, but intensifying price competition could impact the operating results and financial position of the Group.
4. Risks concerning raw material price fluctuations and procurement
Nippon Chemi-Con Group operating results and financial position may be impacted by cost increases attributable to increased procurement prices for raw materials such as aluminum foils and heavy oil or delays in product shipments caused by difficulty in procuring raw materials.
Nippon Chemi-Con Group implements various risk avoidance measures, including promoting continuous cost reductions by engaging in local procurement at overseas manufacturing companies and pursuing productivity improvements. Nippon Chemi-Con Group also purchases raw materials from multiple suppliers and engages in regular credit management of our suppliers. However, Nippon Chemi-Con Group operating results and financial position could be impacted in the event of an extreme increase in raw material prices or extensive raw material shortages caused by natural disasters or other conditions.
5. Risks concerning product defects
Nippon Chemi-Con Group conducts manufacturing at each global production site in accordance with globally recognized quality management standards (UL standards, AEC-Q200, etc.).
However, there is no guarantee that we will not experience product defects in any of our products at some point in the future. Although we do have product liability insurance, there is no guarantee that this insurance will be sufficient to fully cover liability compensation amount.
Furthermore, we have obtained certification such as ISO9001 and IATF16949 at all manufacturing sites as part of efforts to strengthen quality management. However, Nippon Chemi-Con Group operating results and financial position could be impacted by the occurrence of a large-scale product defect.
6. Risks concerning laws and public regulations
Significant changes in laws and public regulations in regions both at home and overseas, where Nippon Chemi-Con Group operates its business, may influence the business results and financial position of Nippon Chemi-Con Group. Besides expenses to comply with such regulations, criminal penalties and administrative actions including governmental charges or payment of compensation in case of violation against laws and public regulations, may also influence the business results and financial position of Nippon Chemi-Con Group.
Nippon Chemi-Con Group's business is subject to environmental regulations, and introduction of new regulations or the significant changes in the existing ones may pose the risk of environmental responsibility to Nippon Chemi-Con Group.
Nippon Chemi-Con Group is using legal means to respond to some decisions by the competition law authorities of various countries to assess fines against our Group in relation to aluminum electrolytic capacitor transactions. Separately from the above, civil lawsuits have been filed against Nippon Chemi-Con and our subsidiaries in relation to this case in the United States and Canada. Among the civil lawsuits related to this matter, there is a class action civil lawsuit in the USA where the plaintiff consists of direct purchasers demanding compensation for damages. This lawsuit has the greatest potential to have a major impact on the operating results and financial position of the Group due to the volume of product transactions we have with the plaintiff group. The formal trial for this lawsuit is scheduled to start anew in November 2021. As such, a verdict is assumed to be handed down on a date beyond that. However, we cannot deny the possibility that a verdict could be reached prior to the trial or that the case will be closed with a settlement.
If these legal proceedings result in what we deem to be an unfavorable verdict or in the event we are required to make payments as part of a settlement, it may impact the operating results and financial status of the Group.
7. Risks concerning natural disasters and unpredictable events
Nippon Chemi-Con Group operating results and financial position could be impacted by a stop in production caused by facility damage or difficulty in supplying electricity or water due to natural disasters such as earthquakes or some unpredictable events. The spread and prolongation of the COVID-19 pandemic not only has the potential to cause economic downturn, but may also impact the continuation of business operations due to the suspension of operations requested by national governments. We prioritize the safety and health of our employees and stakeholders, and will continue to gather information and cooperate with administrative authorities. At the same time, we will implement various infection prevention measures to continue operations, including telecommuting and staggered working hours, as well as adopting tools for remote work.